Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says the African Cup of Nations deserves greater respect from Europe.
The tournament will kickoff in Cameroon in January and run for a month.
Vieira said, “I respect and I understand the passion and importance of those players to go and represent their country. I will never stop any players going to the Africa Cup of Nations. I believe that competition has to be more respected because this competition is as important as the European Championship.
“With Senegal, I don’t think people understand [Sadio] Mane or Cheikhou Kouyate not representing their nation.
“If there was more coverage people will understand how important it is for the African continent.”